Radiator cap removing device



Feb. 18, 1964 E. a. MOREL ETAL 3,121,355

RADIATOR CAP REMOVING DEVICE Filed July 23, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 //'v Vf/V 70/28, fm e/y 5. Mare/ Haro/ 0 4. Def/e2 day? b 1? K607/7 BY ATTORNEK Feb. 18, 1964 E. B. MOREL ETAL 3,121,355

RADIATOR CAP REMOVING DEVICE Filed July 25, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN Vf/V TORJ.

Emery 5 More/ Ham /0A, fle/fez Jase h F1 Keoyb 1Z5- BY 7 ATTORWZX United States Patent 3,121,355 RADIATOR CAP REMOVING DEVICE Emery B. Morel, 469 Landwood Drive, Baton Rouge 6,

La., and Harold A. Defiez, 2145 N. 18th St., and

Joseph F. Keogh, P.O. Box 2523, 700 Florida St., both of Baton Rouge 2, La.

Filed July 23, 1962, Ser. No. 211,705 4 Claims. (CI. 81-90) This invention relates to a tool or implement adapted for use in removing caps from radiators. The main objects of this invention are,

First, to provide a tool or implement for general use in facilitating the removal of caps from radiators and one which is particularly adapted for removing caps from radiators which have become heated to steam producing temperatures, and whereby the hand of the user is effectively protected from the steam or hot air discharged from the radiator when the cap is loosened or partially removed to permit escape of the steam or hot air.

Second, to provide a tool or implement having these advantages in which there is an effective grasping engagement with the cap as a result of the grasping of the device by the hand of the user.

Third, to provide a tool or implement having these advantages which has a series of uniformly spaced riblike hand hold or grip portions which facilitate the eflective grasping of the device for holding for rota-tive movement thereof, as in the removal or replacement of a radiator cap.

Fourth, to provide a tool or implement for removing radiator caps and the like which may be laid or positioned in an inverted position upon a portion of an automobile with the hot cap therein, without injury to the surface on which it is positioned.

Fifth, to provide a tool or implement having these several advantages which is economical to produce and compact for shipment and storage.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device for the removal and handling of radiator caps embodying our invention.

FIG. 2 is an inverted view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a top view.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a front end of a motor vehicle, conventionally illustrating a radiator with the cap removing device of our invention applied to the cap thereof, the hood being omitted.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view illustrating the cap removing device in partially removed position, a hand grasping the device indicated by dotted lines, the discharge of steam being convention-ally illustrated as occurs when the cap is partially removed.

FIG. 6 is a vertical section illustrating the gripping engagement of the device with a cap disengaged from the neck of the radiator and in supported engagement with the device.

FIG. 7 is an inside perspective view with the cap en gaged within the holder.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a modified form or embodiment of our invention;

FIG. 9 is a vertical section of the embodiment of FIG. 8 on a line 99.

In the accompanying drawing 1 represents a motor vehicle, 2 the radiator thereof, and 3 the radiator cap, which is conventionally illustrated. That illustrated is the type provided with inwardly projecting lugs 4 engageable with lugs 5 on the radiator neck 6. 7 represents 3,121,355 Patented Feb. 18, 1964 ice a gasket in the cap. These parts are all of a widely used type. It is a matter of quite common experience for radiators of motor vehicles to become overheated due to the failure of the user to keep them filled with the proper supply of water, and the overheated water of the radiator results in the overheating of the engine. Probably in the majority of cases or instances this occurs remotely from gas or service stations and the operator of the vehicle is called upon to replenish the Water in the radiator. The applicants device permits the driver, for example, to remove the cap in such instances without being injured by escaping steam.

The device in the commercial embodiment illustrated is designated generally by the numeral 8 and is formed integrally of thermoplastic material, relatively solid rubber for example, although there are many thermoplastic materials which may be used. It comprises the top portion 9, solid throughout, and the integral downwardly projecting flange lo dimensioned to receive the cap of the radiator being slightly larger than the cap, but the flange may be compressed by the operator into clutching engagement with the cap.

The top and the flange are desirably cylindrical except for the opposed rib-like enlargements 11, there being inwardly opening vertical recesses 12 in these flanges. These flanges are desirably of somewhat less thickness than the thickness of the flange 10 and further reduction in thickness at 13 at the juncture of the ribs 11 with the remaining portion of the flange, see FIG. 2. The flange 1% is of substantial thickness and yields somewhat under clamping pressure, but the main flexibility is in the portions 11 and at the juncture points 13. This permits the flange portions being of substantial thickness so that the device may be grasped by the user and manipulated to clampingly grasp the heated cap for removal thereof and for handling while removing.

The hand of the operator is fully protected from the heat of the cap and from the steam or hot air which may be discharged from the partially removed cap, as is conventionally illustrated in FIG. 5. The desirable operation is to loosen the cap until steam can escape and the device constitutes an effective guard for the hand and directs the escaping steam downwardly away from. the hand. When the flow of steam has ceased, the operator may lay the device bottom side up on any part of the vehicle and the finish is not injured, as the device serves as a guard or insulating means for the hot cap.

The annularly spaced grip members 14 provide an effective hand hold, as they prevent slipping of the hand grasping the device, as is conventionally illustrated in FIGS. 1, 5 and 7, the hand in FIG. 1 being illustrated in position for picking up the device, as for example to place it on the cap; FIG. 5 in position for manipulating the positioned cap; and FIG. 7 for handling the device with the cap therein.

The embodiment of our invention illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 includes two features not present in the embodiments of our invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7 inclusive, and while both of these features are highly desirable they add somewhat to production costs and they are not essential to a practical commercial embodiment of our invention. In this embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9 the skirt or flange portion it has an outwardly projecting continuous flange 15 on its lower edge which tunctions to prevent or deter the user from grasping the device with his fingers or thumb projecting below the lower edge of the flange. It will be appreciated that the usual or normal grasping is as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 5 and 7, but it is possible for users having large hands or long fingers to grasp the device with the portions of the thumb or finger projecting below the skirt or flange, and even when 3 so grasped the thickness of the flange is such that the escaping steam is not likely to heat or contact the fingers of the user. However, the flange does serve as a guard and deters graspins with portions of the hand projecting below the flange.

We have mentioned that one desirable feature of the invention is that the operator may lay the device bottom side up on any part of the vehicle and the finish is not injured, as the device serves as a guard or an insulating means for the hot cap. While sliding movement even on the curved surface is unlikely in the embodiment of our invention shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the device is provided with a magnet '16 seated in a recess 17 provided in the top and flush with the top.

It should be understood that our invention is designed and adapted for use to conveniently position and retainingly connect the device at a part of a curved tender or the like, or for a service station operator to position the device on any metal surface upright, or otherwise. it will be understood that the embodiments of our invention are particularly desirable for use in service stations, but

they are so economical in cost that operators or automobiles, trucks or other automotive vehicles can include them in their equipment.

-We have illustrated and described our invention in highly practical embodiments thereof. We have not illustrated or described other embodiments or adaptations as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt our invention as may be desired.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Fatent is:

l. A device for the removal and handling of radiator caps compris' g a cylindrical substantiflly noncompressible imperforate top portion of substantial and uniform vertical thickness and a downwardly projecting flange portion, said top and flange portions being integral and of molded thermoplastic material, said top and flange portions having opposed outwardly projecting rib-like enlargements extending therefrom but being otherwise substantially cylindrical, there being vertical inwardly opening recesses in said enlargements, said flange portion being otherwise of substantial uniform thickness and a vertical width exceeding the vertical thickness of a cap,

the thickness of the walls of said enlargements being,

substantially less than the thickness of the remaining portions of the flange so that the rib portions are substantially more flexible than the remaining portion of the flange, said top portion having a plurality of angula-rly spaced vertical ribs thereon terminating above said flange portion.

2. A device for the removal and handling or" radiator caps comprising a cylindrical substantially noncompres sible imperiorate top portion of substantial and uniform vertical thickness and a downwardly projecting flange portion, said top and flange portions being integral and,

of molded thermoplastic material, said top and flange portions having opposed outwardly projecting rib-1il-:e enlargements extending therefrom but being otherwise substantially cylindrical, there being vertical inwardly opening recesses in said enlargements, said flange portion being otherwise of substantial uniform thickness and of a vertical Width exceeding the vertical thickness of a cap, the thickness of the walls of said enlargements being substantially less than the thickness of the remaining portions of the flange so that the rib portions are substantially more flexible than the remaining portion of the flange.

3. A device for the removal and handling of radiator caps and comprising a cylindrical substantially noncompressible imperforate top portion of substantial and uniform vertical thickness and a downwardly projecting flange portion, said top and flange portions being integral and of molded thermoplastic material, said top and flange portions having opposed outwardly projecting rib-like enlargements thereon, there being vertical inwardly opering recesses in said enlargements, the thickness of the walls of the enlargements being substantially less than the thickness of the remaining portions of the flange so that the rib portions are substantially more flexible than the remainin portion of the flange, said top portion having a plurality of vertical ribs thereon terminating above said flange portion.

4. A device for the removal and handling of radiator caps and comprising a cylindrical substantially non-compressible imperforate top portion of substantial and uniform vertical thickn ss and a downwardly projecting flange portion, said top and flange portions being integral and of molded thermoplastic material, said top and flange portions having opposed outwardly projecting rib-like enlargements thereon, there being vertical inwardly openin recesses in said enlargements, the thickness of the walls of the enlargements being substantially less than the thickness of the remaining portions of the flange so that the rib portions are substantially more flexible than the remaining portion of the flange.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

4. A DEVICE FOR THE REMOVAL AND HANDLING OF RADIATOR CAPS AND COMPRISING A CYLINDRICAL SUBSTANTIALLY NON-COMPRESSIBLE IMPERFORATE TOP PORTION OF SUBSTANTIAL AND UNIFORM VERTICAL THICKNESS AND A DOWNWARDLY PROJECTING FLANGE PORTION, SAID TOP AND FLANGE PORTIONS BEING INTEGRAL AND OF MOLDED THERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL, SAID TOP AND FLANGE PORTIONS HAVING OPPOSED OUTWARDLY PROJECTING RIB-LIKE ENLARGEMENTS THEREON, THERE BEING VERTICAL INWARDLY OPENING RECESSES IN SAID ENLARGEMENTS, THE THICKNESS OF THE WALLS OF THE ENLARGEMENTS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN THE THICKNESS OF THE REMAINING PORTIONS OF THE FLANGE SO THAT THE RIB PORTIONS ARE SUBSTANTIALLY MORE FLEXIBLE THAN THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE FLANGE. 